Waveshare ALTERA CoreEP4CE6 Core Board FPGA development tool
Waveshare ALTERA CoreEP4CE6 Core Board FPGA development tool
Shipping & Delivery Information
🚚 In-Stock Items: Orders for in-stock products are shipped within 24 hours after the order is placed.
📦 Pre-order Items: If a product is marked as "Pre-order", it means it is currently out of stock. We'll dispatch your order once we have restocked, usually within 10 working days. For special pre-sale items, the expected arrival date will be noted in the product description.
✈️ Express Shipping: Need your order urgently? Please contact us via email or live chat, and we’ll help arrange express delivery for you.
🔧 CoreEP4CE6 by Waveshare is a compact, high-performance FPGA development board designed to accelerate prototyping and education for Altera/Intel Cyclone IV-based projects. Whether you're a student, hobbyist, or professional, this board makes digital design more accessible than ever! 💡
✨ Key Features:
-
🖥️ Onboard USB interface for seamless programming
-
🔌 Reusable GPIO headers for quick hardware interfacing
-
⚡ Robust power management circuit ideal for low- to mid-density designs
-
📚 Accessible documentation and plug-and-play integration
-
🔄 Compatible with common FPGA development workflows
💻 Dive into embedded systems, experiment with rapid prototyping, or teach digital logic—all with a reliable, budget-friendly platform that’s ready to go out of the box. 🚀
🔧 Features
-
-
💾 Onboard Serial Configuration Device: EPCS16SI8N
-
⏱️ Integrated FPGA basic circuit, including a clock circuit
-
🔘 Onboard control buttons: nCONFIG, RESET, and 4 x LEDs
-
📤 Accessible I/O ports via pin headers
-
🛠️ JTAG interface for debugging/programming
-
📏 2.54mm header pitch design
-
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| FPGA Chip | EP4CE6E22C8N (Cyclone IV) |
| Logic Elements | 6K |
| RAM | 270KB |
| I/Os | 80 |
| PLLs | 2 |
| Voltage Range | 1.15V – 3.465V |
| Clock Speed | 50MHz |
| Programming | JTAG (10-pin header) |
| Package | QFP144 |
| Dimensions | 60mm x 45mm (approx.) |
🧩 Overview
CoreEP4CE6 is a versatile FPGA core board featuring the EP4CE6E22C8N device onboard, designed to support further expansion for a wide range of applications. 🚀
What's On Board

🔧 FPGA Board Specifications & Features
1️⃣ EP4CE6E22C8N — ALTERA Cyclone IV FPGA
-
📶 Operating Frequency: 50MHz
-
🔋 Operating Voltage: 1.15V~3.465V
-
📦 Package: QFP144
-
🔌 I/O Ports: 180
-
🧠 Logic Elements (LEs): 6K
-
🗄️ RAM: 270kb
-
🔁 PLLs: 2
2️⃣ 🛠️ Onboard JTAG support
3️⃣ ⚡ AMS1117-3.3: 3.3V voltage regulator
4️⃣ ⚡ AMS1117-2.5: 2.5V voltage regulator
5️⃣ ⚡ AMS1117-1.2: 1.2V voltage regulator
6️⃣ 💾 EPCS16: Onboard configuration chip for storing program code
7️⃣ 🔋 Power indicator LED
8️⃣ 🔄 Reset button
9️⃣ 🔃 nCONFIG button: Reconfigures the FPGA chip (acts like a power reset)
🔟 🔘 User buttons: 4 total
1️⃣1️⃣ ✨ User LEDs: 8 total
1️⃣2️⃣ 🧩 JTAG interface for debugging and programming
1️⃣3️⃣ 📌 JTAG pin labels: VCC, GND, and all I/O ports are clearly marked on the PCB for easy expansion
1️⃣4️⃣ 💡 LED running light feature
1️⃣5️⃣ 🎇 LED dancing light feature
Photos



⚠️ Note: The CoreEP4CE6 provides a JTAG debugging interface, but does NOT include any built-in debugging functionality — an external debugger is required.
🖼️ Important: The motherboard and programmer/debugger shown in product photos are for demonstration purposes only and are NOT included in the price.
JTAG Interface
The figure below shows the header pinout of JTAG

📚 Development Resources
-
-
💻 Related software: Quartus II, NIOS II, and more
-
🧪 Demo code: Verilog, VHDL, NIOS II C examples
-
📄 Schematic: Available in PDF format
-
📘 FPGA development documentation for all levels
-
🚀 Applications
-
🎓 FPGA education and training
-
🧠 Hardware logic prototyping
-
📡 Signal processing applications
-
🤖 Embedded system control
-
🏭 Industrial automation projects
-
🔬 STEM development and research
🛠️ Software & Development Support
-
✅ Compatible with Quartus II IDE
-
🧾 Supports Verilog, VHDL, and NIOS II
-
🧩 Reference code and schematics available
-
📖 Detailed documentation for beginners
Refference
- Pre-Ordering: If an item is unavailable, you can pre-order it. We'll dispatch once stock is replenished, usually within 10 working days. Special pre-sale products will specify the expected arrival time in the description.
- Express Shipping: Need it faster? Contact us via email or through our live chat support, and we'll arrange expedited delivery for you.
1. General Shipping Information
- We provide premium shipping methods with a tracking number for each order.
-
Shipping address should be input in English without any special symbols to help the courier company recognize your address in the system. We will ship according to the shipping address you provided. Please notify us of any address change before your order is marked "Shipped" to avoid parcel loss.
-
Please contact our customer service staff immediately if you need to cancel or change an order. Once your order has reached "Shipped" status, it can no longer be canceled or changed in any way. To avoid complications, please recheck your shopping cart before checkout.
-
We can ship all in-stock orders within 1 business day as your order has been confirmed.
-
All items are inspected before dispatch and are carefully hand-packed.
-
With standard courier practice, you need to check the contents of the parcel before signing for your goods. Otherwise, we will not be held responsible for any damage that may have occurred in transit.
2. Shipping Options for Germany, EU* countries and US
(For Products in Munich Warehouse, Long Beach Warehouse)
2.1 Orders with a value not exceeding €5:
Shipping Options:
| Shipping Options | Germany | EU* |
|---|---|---|
|
Deutsche Post |
€6 Arrive in 3-4 Business Days |
€15 Arrive in 5-9 Business Days |
| Shipping Options | Continental U.S. | Non-Continental U.S. |
|---|---|---|
|
USPS Ground Advantage |
€7.95 Arrive in 3-7 Business Days |
€8.95 Arrive in 5-9 Business Days |
|
UPS Express |
€13.95 Arrive in 2-4 Business Days |
€17.95 Arrive in 3-7 Business Days |
2.2 Shipping options for an order value between €5 and €30 inside Germany, €5 and €50 inside the EU, or €5 and €45 in the U.S.:*
Shipping Options:
| Shipping Options | Germany | EU* |
|---|---|---|
|
Deutsche Post |
€3.5 Arrive in 3-4 Business Days |
€6 Arrive in 5-9 Business Days |
|
DHL Paket |
€6 Arrive in 2-3 Business Days |
€15 Arrive in 3-7 Business Days |
|
DHL Express |
€14 Arrive in 1-2 Business Day |
€65 Arrive in 2-3 Business Days |
| Shipping Options | Continental U.S. | Non-Continental U.S. |
|---|---|---|
|
USPS Ground Advantage |
€4.95 Arrive in 3-7 Business Days |
€6.95 Arrive in 5-9 Business Days |
|
UPS Express |
€11.95 Arrive in 2-4 Business Days |
€13.95 Arrive in 3-7 Business Days |
2.3 Free shipping options for an order value of above €30 inside Germany, €50 inside the EU* or €45 in US :
| Free Shipping Options | Germany | EU* |
|---|---|---|
|
Deutsche Post |
Free Above €30 | Free Above €50 |
|
DHL Paket |
+ €2 for Above €30 / Free Above €60 | + €8 for Above €50 / Free Above €80 |
|
DHL Express |
+ €10 for Above €30 | + €60 for Above €50 |
| Free Shipping Options | Continental U.S. | Non-Continental U.S. |
|---|---|---|
|
USPS Ground Advantage |
Free above €45 | Free above €60 |
|
UPS Express |
+ € 8.95 for Above €45 | + € 11.95 for Above €45 |
-
Certain EU Countries are not included in our EU Zone definition: United Kingdom (excluding Ireland), Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Vatican City, Albania, Belarus, Norway, Ukraine, and Iceland. For the above countries, the International Shipping Rule applies.
- The regions in the Non-Continental U.S. include: Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Armed Forces of America, the Armed Forces in Europe, the Armed Forces in the Pacific, and the U.S. outlying islands. The shipping and delivery to these areas are subject to the Non-Continental U.S. shipping rules.
2.4 Shipping Options for International Countries:
(via Deutsche Post or YunExpress)
| Order Amount | International |
|---|---|
| €0 - €15 | €8 |
| €15 - €30 | €7 |
| €30 - €50 | €6 |
| €50 and above | €4 |
Important Notice:
- Please verify the inventory location on the product page before placing your order to confirm delivery timeframes.
- For products in the Shenzhen warehouse, we will typically first ship the products from the Shenzhen warehouse to our Munich warehouse or Long Beach warehouse, which will take around 1.5 weeks. After we receive the shipment in Munich/ Long Beach, we will send the items to you. We will only arrange YunExpress shipping from Shenzhen for orders with products in the Shenzhen warehouse worth more than €50.
- If you place an order with products from both Munich and Shenzhen warehouses, we will first ship the products in the Munich warehouse, and then send the remaining products to you when we receive them from Shenzhen.
3. International Warehouse
3.1 German Warehouse
3.2 US Warehouse
3.3 Chinese Warehouse
4. Customs and Taxes
4.1 How are customs handled by OpenELAB for import or export?
4.2 How is VAT charged when the Customer places an order from OpenELAB?
4.3 What kind of fee will be charged except VAT?
Effective Date: December 10, 2025
At OpenELAB, we are committed to providing accurate product descriptions and high-quality electronics. The following policy outlines your rights and obligations, designed to be fair to both our customers and our business operations globally.
1. Warranty Policy
A. Standard Limited Warranty (Global & US)
For customers in the United States, Asia, and other non-EU regions:
-
Warranty Period: OpenELAB provides a 12-month warranty from the date of delivery.
-
Coverage: This warranty covers defects in material and workmanship under normal use.
-
Resolution: We will repair or replace defective units at no charge.
B. Statutory Rights for EU/UK Customers (EU Compliance)
If you are a consumer residing in the European Union or the UK purchasing from our global site:
-
Statutory Guarantee: You are entitled to a 24-month statutory guarantee for conformity defects present at the time of delivery, in accordance with EU consumer protection laws.
-
Relation: The Standard Limited Warranty (Section 1.A) applies in addition to, and does not replace, your statutory rights.
C. Warranty Exclusions (Applies to ALL Regions)
Warranty coverage is VOID if the damage is caused by:
-
Misuse: Incorrect installation, reverse polarity, or exceeding voltage limits.
-
Unauthorized Modification: This explicitly includes soldering, cutting pins, modifying the PCB, or flashing unauthorized/beta firmware that "bricks" the device.
-
Physical Damage: Drops, moisture/water damage, or electrical surges (lightning).
-
Normal Wear & Tear: Consumable parts (e.g., batteries), unless defective upon arrival.
Note: For non-warranty repairs (e.g., customer-induced damage), we may offer repair services for a fee. Shipping and diagnostic costs will be borne by the customer.
2. Return & Refund Policy
A. Return Window
-
Standard: You may request a return within 30 days of receiving your order.
-
EU Customers: You have the statutory right to withdraw from the contract within 14 days of receipt without giving a reason.
B. Refund Conditions & Restocking Fees
To protect against policy abuse, the refund amount is strictly determined by the condition of the returned item.
1. Full Refund (100%)
-
The item is Brand New, Unopened, and Unused.
-
The original packaging is intact and sealed.
-
All accessories are present.
2. Partial Refund (Restocking Fee / Value Depreciation)
If the item is returned in a condition that prevents it from being sold as new, OpenELAB reserves the right to deduct a Restocking Fee (or "Compensation for Loss of Value" for EU customers) from the refund.
Deductions apply if:
-
Signs of Use: Visible scratches, mounting marks on screw holes, or fingerprints.
-
Damaged Packaging: Original box is torn, written on, or missing.
-
Technical Modification: The device has been powered on, programmed/flashed, or soldered.
-
Broken Seals: Anti-static bags or security seals have been opened.
Depending on the severity of the usage/damage, the deduction may range from 15% to 50% of the product price. Items damaged beyond repair due to misuse will not be refunded.
C. Shipping Costs
-
Defective / Wrong Item: OpenELAB covers the return shipping cost.
-
Customer Remorse (Changed Mind / Ordered Wrong Item): The customer is responsible for all return shipping costs to our designated return center (located in the US, Germany, or China, depending on your region). Original shipping fees are non-refundable unless required by local law.
3. Return Process (RMA)
To ensure a smooth return process, please follow these steps:
-
Authorization: Contact us at info@openelab.io before returning any item. Returns without prior authorization will not be accepted.
-
RMA Number: We will provide you with a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number and the correct return address.
-
Packing: Ship the item back in its original packaging with the RMA number clearly marked on the shipping label (not on the product box).
-
Tracking: We strongly recommend using a trackable shipping method. OpenELAB is not responsible for returns lost in transit.



